Try as it might, Oregon can’t seem to catch a break. Undefeated and taking care of business so far in 2012, Oregon slips a spot again in this week’s BCS standings, as Kansas State jumps to the No. 3 spot in the latest BCS rankings.

Official BCS Rankings

Rank

Team

1

Alabama Crimson Tide

2

Florida Gators

3

Kansas State Wildcats

4

Oregon Ducks

5

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Scroll down for more

An interesting set of circumstances led to the Wildcats’ jump past the Ducks. Because of Kansas State’s blowout victory over West Virginia, the Wildcats were able to get a big bounce in both the polls and the computers. Already with a sizable lead in the computers over Oregon, the Wildcats made up the difference in the polls that they needed to just slide by the Ducks in the second BCS rankings.

For its part, Florida was able to retain the surprising No. 2 spot it claimed in last week’s first BCS rankings, in fact bringing its BCS score up with an increase in human polls and computer support.

So Oregon lands at No. 4, behind two teams that are behind the Ducks in both human elements, which make up two-thirds of the BCS formula. Can the distance be made up? The Ducks will be afforded the opportunity to make up some ground in the computer rankings in the coming weeks, but it remains to be seen what potential impact victories over BCS No. 9 USC and BCS No. 7 Oregon State could have. This will be the intrigue and controversy of the BCS for the next few weeks at least.

Further down the BCS rankings, Notre Dame remains a steady No. 5, with LSU hot at its heels at No. 6. Oregon State, Oklahoma and USC all jump one spot with South Carolina out of the way, while Georgia, Mississippi State and Florida State round out the top 12.

We’re all set up for the controversy we’ve become accustomed to when it comes to BCS rankings. Let’s find out how it all plays out. Be sure to stay tuned to BCS Know How and @BCSKnowHow throughout the coming weeks for all the latest analysis and news.

1 Comm

Oregon has outscored its opponents 236 - 56 in the first half this year (ie, when the starters are in). When Oregon played its first Top 25 team, they left the starters in for most of the game and won that game 49 - 0 …against a team that is averaging 45 points in their other six games. Oregon has at least three more games against Top 20 teams left this season, and most of their remaining games are road games.

Florida, on the other hand, only managed to beat unranked Bowling Green, in Florida, by 13 points. They beat unranked Texas A&M by 3 points. Their November schedule includes games against Louisiana-Lafayette and Jacksonville State, both AT HOME. Florida's weak showing the first half of this season, followed by their cupcake schedule in the 2nd half, should have them ranked no higher than #9, even if they win out.
Once again, it looks like the SEC teams have a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card given to them. Oregon is undoubtedly a better team than everyone in the SEC except Alabama (whom they're the equal of), but Oregon has to go undefeated to earn a BCS spot. As usual, a one-loss SEC team has an easier road to the BCS title game than an undefeated team (and Oregon's no Boise State; the Ducks play at least 5 Top 25 teams this year...and it would've been 6 if K-State hadn't canceled their game against Oregon).

The best of BCS Know How delivered straight to your email inbox:288 Subscribers